David Hume

1711–1776

In every system of morality, which I have hitherto met with, I have always remarked, that the author proceeds for some time in the ordinary way of reasoning, and establishes the being of a God, or makes observations concerning human affairs; when of a sudden I am surprized to find, that instead of the usual copulations of propositions, is, and is not, I meet with no proposition that is not connected with an ought, or an ought not. This change is imperceptible; but is, however, of the last consequence.

Source details
1740 · A Treatise of Human Nature, Book III, Part I

Checked word-for-word against A Treatise of Human Nature · 2026-07-18

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